taracodlabs Google Flights Search
Tool: shell_exec — run agent-browser commands (NOT web_search)
# Typical usage — 2 commands for domestic, 3 for international
agent-browser --session flights open "https://www.google.com/travel/flights?q=Flights+from+BOM+to+DXB+on+2026-12-20+one+way" && agent-browser --session flights wait --load networkidle
agent-browser --session flights snapshot -i
Search Google Flights via agent-browser to find flight prices, schedules, and availability.
When to Use
- User asks to search/find/compare flights or airfare
- User wants to know flight prices between cities
- User asks about flight schedules or availability
- User wants to find the cheapest flight for specific dates
When NOT to Use
- Completing purchases: Find flights and provide booking links — do not complete a purchase
- Hotels/rental cars: Use the hotels skill for accommodation
- Historical price data: Google Flights shows current prices only
Session Convention
- Economy only (domestic, default):
--session flights - Economy + Business comparison (international or user requests):
--session econ+--session biz
Domestic vs International
Domestic = both origin and destination are US airports. Show economy only by default. Show business class when user asks for it or it's an international route.
Fast Path: URL-Based Search (Preferred)
https://www.google.com/travel/flights?q=Flights+from+{ORIGIN}+to+{DEST}+on+{DATE}[+returning+{DATE}][+one+way][+business+class][+N+passengers]
Supports: round trip, one way, business/first class, N passengers, adults+children, IATA codes, city names, YYYY-MM-DD dates. Does NOT support via URL: premium economy, multi-city.
Domestic (economy only) — 2 tool calls
agent-browser --session flights open "https://www.google.com/travel/flights?q=Flights+from+MIA+to+SFO+on+2026-04-28+returning+2026-04-30" && agent-browser --session flights wait --load networkidle
agent-browser --session flights snapshot -i
International (economy + business) — 3 tool calls
(agent-browser --session econ open "https://www.google.com/travel/flights?q=Flights+from+BOM+to+DXB+on+2026-12-20" && agent-browser --session econ wait --load networkidle) &
(agent-browser --session biz open "https://www.google.com/travel/flights?q=Flights+from+BOM+to+DXB+on+2026-12-20+business+class" && agent-browser --session biz wait --load networkidle) &
wait
agent-browser --session econ snapshot -i &
agent-browser --session biz snapshot -i &
wait
agent-browser --session biz close
Output Format
Parse snapshot link elements (each flight = one link with airline, times, duration, price). Present as compact list:
1. Air India — Nonstop · 3h 10m
6:00 AM → 8:10 AM
Economy: ₹8,250 · Business: ₹42,000 (+409%)
2. Emirates — 1 stop · 7h 25m
10:00 PM → 3:25 AM+1
Economy: ₹12,100 · Business: ₹58,500 (+383%)
3. IndiGo — Nonstop · 3h 05m
9:15 AM → 12:20 PM
Economy: ₹7,800 · Business: —
Economy-only format (domestic): Airline — Stops · Duration\nTimes · Price
Booking Links Handoff
After results, always offer: "Want booking links for any of these? Just say which one."
When user picks a flight:
agent-browser --session flights click @eN # click the flight link from snapshot
agent-browser --session flights wait 3000
agent-browser --session flights snapshot -i
Extract provider name, price, and URL from the booking panel links.
Interactive Fallback
Use for: multi-city, premium economy, or when URL path fails.
agent-browser --session flights open "https://www.google.com/travel/flights"
agent-browser --session flights wait 3000
agent-browser --session flights snapshot -i
# 1. Set trip type (combobox: Round trip / One way / Multi-city)
# 2. Set cabin class and passengers (if non-default)
# 3. Enter airports: click field → fill "BOM" → wait 2s → snapshot → click suggestion
# 4. Set dates: click date field → click calendar date → click "Done"
# 5. Click "Search" button ("Done" only closes calendar — search is separate)
agent-browser --session flights wait --load networkidle
agent-browser --session flights snapshot -i
Key rules: use fill not type for airports; always click suggestions (never press Enter); wait 2s after typing for autocomplete; re-snapshot after every interaction.
Key Rules
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Prefer URL fast path | 2-3 calls vs 15+ interactive |
Chain open && wait with && |
Saves a round-trip |
| Skip business for domestic | US domestic business is 3-5x cost, rarely needed unless asked |
Parallel snapshots with & + wait |
Both run concurrently for international |
wait --load networkidle |
Smarter than fixed wait 5000 |
| Keep results session alive | Needed for booking clicks; close biz after price delta extracted |
| Always offer booking links after results | Users almost always want to book |
Troubleshooting
- Consent popup: Click "Accept all" or "Reject all"
- URL fast path failed: Fall back to interactive — some regions handle
?q=differently - No results: Verify airports, dates are in the future, or wait longer
- CAPTCHA: Inform user. Do NOT solve. Retry after a short wait.
For annotated walkthroughs, airport autocomplete edge cases, calendar navigation, and multi-city steps — see references/interaction-patterns.md.